Two Amazing Versions of the Same Aria

[Robert Newman]

Hackneyed, highly commercialised, sensationalised and, yes, a virtual icon of Italian opera is the aria ‘Nessun Dorma’ from Puccini’s last (and unfinished) opera ‘Turandot’. But in amongst hundreds of recordings are a few that are truly astounding. Amongst them the live recording made in New York in 1980 by Luciano Pavarotti and another by the great Swedish tenor Jussi Bjorling at a live concert given in Stockholm (broadcast on radio) in 1944 during the blackest days of the Second World War. Each in a class of its own. Each unique and each of them testimony to the power of great music.

1. Puccini
Aria
‘Nessun Dorma’
Soloist - Luciano Pavarotti
New York Philharmonic
Conductor - Zubin Mehta
Live Concert (1980)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TOfC9LfR3PI&feature=related

2.Puccini
Aria
‘Nessun Dorma’
Soloist - Jussi Björling
Live Recording
Stockholm Concert
Conductor - Tor Mann
National Radio Broadcast
March 1944

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gtnpMDYeZDo&feature=related

 

[Corno Dolce]

Jussi Björling was and is the TENOR that all those who consider themselves a tenor should measure themselves with.

 

[Robert Newman]

Oh, yes, I strongly agree !!! What a tremendous voice Bjorling had ! Such emotion, such power, and such talent ! That recording, like recordings of pianist Dinu Lipatti and others is simply amazing, unique, overwhelmingly brilliant, marvellous. Wow !!! I mean 'wow' !!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards

 

[Tûrwethiel]

CD - I agree absolutely.

Robert, I'll match your "wows" and add a big "thank you" for sharing these and all those other great musical moments with us!

Cheers

Vicki

 

[Corno Dolce]

Aloha Mr. Newman,

Btw, I'm not even a tenor - I growl and howl as a *helden bass-bariton.*

Cheerio,

CD

 

[Robert Newman]

Thanks C.D. and Vicki,

Such singing as we hear here from Jussi Bjorling would make most tenors take up truck driving or do office work !!! But it may even inspire them !! I'm lost for words to hear it. It's simply amazing.

Regards

R